The Seattle Seahawks are set to acquire a quarterback, and based on what they’re paying, they’re expecting big things from Charlie Whitehurst.
According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Seahawks will obtain Whitehurst from the San Diego Chargers in a trade that calls for the teams to swap second round picks in the 2010 draft, moving Seattle from the 40th pick to the 60th pick. San Diego will also receive Seattle’s third-round pick in 2011.
On top of that, Seattle has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Whitehurst worth $5 million per year, a sign that the Seahawks new front office views the 27-year-old former Clemson quarterback as more than a backup. Whitehurst, a third-round pick in the 2006 draft, has never thrown a regular-season pass, but has the size, mobility and arm strength to be an intriguing prospect.
To give up so much for a player that has never taken an NFL snap seems risky, but shows Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider like what they see in the 6-foot-4, 227-pound quarterback.
After trading Seneca Wallace, it was clear the Seahawks at least needed a backup quarterback, but based on what Seattle gave San Diego and is paying Whitehurst, it would seem they view him as a potential starter in the not-so-distant future.
Current starter Matt Hasselbeck will be 35 in September and is in the final year of his contract, and while Carroll has praised Hasselbeck publicly since taking the job, the team’s recent actions seem to indicate no job is safe. Hasselbeck’s status beyond this year was already in doubt given his age and recent injury problems, and the acquisition of Whitehurst only lessens the odds of Hasselbeck being re-signed beyond this year.
The move also decreases the likelihood that Seattle will pick a quarterback with one of its two first-round picks, though the possibility certainly still exists for Seattle to draft a quarterback.
After releasing safety Deon Grant and trading defensive end Darryl Tapp, this is the first big addition for Carroll and Schneider, and could be one of the early defining moments of their tenure in Seattle.
The Seahawks also announced the signing of linebacker Matt McCoy Wednesday. McCoy, who came into the league as a second-round pick in 2005, spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, and started two games last year.
Also, multiple reports indicate the Seahawks are looking to move guard Rob Sims, a restricted free agent and starter last season. According to reports, Sims has been told not to come to the team’s offseason workouts that are being held this week. The Seahawks did not comment on the report, but Sims put up a one-word post on his Twitter page Wednesday afternoon that said: “Limbo”
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
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